Apparatus for selectively reproducing any one or more of multiple recorded passages on recording medium



Sept. 20, 1960 W. E. WALTERS 5 3 APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY REPRODUCINGANY ONE OR MORE OF MULTIPLE RECORDEDPASSAGES on RECORDING MEDIUM 6Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 18, 1954 O. O. O ,I O; 0 00/ 00; 09 O0 '&

INVENTOIR. I

WILBUR E. WALTERS BY v 20,- 196 0 w. EfWALTERS" 2,953,383

my ous OR 0 0m: MEDIUM MORE APPARATUS .FOR SELECTIVELY REPRODUCING- 0FMULTIPLE RECORDED PASSAGES ON REC Original Filed Oct. 18, 1954' I 6Sheets-Sheet 2 1 YINVENTOR. WILBUIQ. E. WALTEES BY Q, W

Sept. 20,- 1960 I I w, WALTERS 2,953,383

. I APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY REPRODUCING ANY ONE OR MORE OF MULTIPLERECORDED PASSAGES ON RECORDING MEDIUM OriginaLFiled Oct. 18, 1954 6Sheets-Sheet 3 an w S INVENTOR. W/LBUE E. WALTE :25 BY W MM mm .E. WALTRS v APPARATUS FO RSELECTIVELY REPRODUCING ANY ONE OR ORE Ff MULTIPLERECORDED PASSAGES 0N RECORDING MEDIUM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original FiledOct. 1-8 1954 v v INVENTOR. WILBUQ 1;. WALTEPS w. E; WALTERS CTIVELSept. 20, 1960 2,953,383

APPARATUS FOR SELE Y REPRODUCING ANY ONE OR MORE OF MULTIPLE RECORDEDPASSAGES ON RECORDING MEDIUM Original Filed Oct. 18, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet5 INVENTOR. W/LBl/L E. WALTERS QQ w xv NQNQ A HAL Sept. 20, 1960 w,WALTERS 2,953,383

APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY REPRODUCING ANY ONE OR MORE OF MULTIPLERECORDED PASSAGES ON RECORDING MEDIUM Original Filed Oct. 18, 1954 '6Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

WILBUIZ E. WALTERS BY Q-u). W

PatntedSepfiZi ANY ONE OR MORE OF MULTIPLE RECORDED PASSAGES ONRECORDING lVIEDIUM Wilbur E. Walters, Yucaipa, Calif., assignor toJoseph J. Muscolino, Sierra Madre, Calif.

Continuation of application Ser. No. 462,734, Oct. 18, 1954. Thisapplication Aug. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 756,272

20 Claims. (Cl. 274-15) This application is a continuation of mycopending application Serial No. 462,734, filed October 18, 1954, .nowabandoned.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to the soundreproduction art. More particularly, this invention pertains torecorded-passage reproduction apparatus whereby sound reproduction maybe selectively initiated at any of a series of predetermined locationson 'a recording medium and will be automatically terminated after thereproduction of a predetermined portion of said recording medium.

In the art of sound reproduction, there have long existed the problemspresented when there is the desirability of selectively initiating soundreproduction of a prerecorded passage on a continuous recording mediumand then terminating the reproduction before the physical end of therecording medium. There have been several attempts in the prior art tosolve the numerous problems but all of said attempts have failed toaccomplish the :objectives in one or more major respects. For example,one prior art device permits the indexing of predeterrmined initiatingpoints in relation to a recording medium but requires operation by atrained expert and is still not adapted for termination of thereproduction at the =-end of a passage or anywhere else, other than atthe 'end of the entire sequence of passages. Other prior art deviceshave been able to permit the continuous reproduction of sequentiallyprerecorded passages on a continuous recording medium in only one orderof sequence but neither in selectively variable order nor in non-con:tinuous sequence.

Generally speaking, the present invention includes recorded-passagereproduction apparatus including a pickup head and means for relativelymoving, with respect to 'said pickup head, in reproduction relationshiprelative thereto, a continuous recording medium bearing a plurality ofsequentially prerecorded passages. Also in- =cluded in the presentinventionis pickup head positioning means effectively cooperable withrespect to the pickup "head and the recording medium 'for positioning'saidpickup head, with respect to said recording medium, in any of :aplurality of diiferent selectable positions for reproduc- "ing aselected prerecorded passage. Said-pickup head "positioning meansincludes position selector means comprising a control member and aplurality of stop members, said control member being relatively movablewith irespect to said plurality of stop members, and said stop rmembersbeing individually and selectively operable with irespect to saidcontrol member to eifectively stop relative movement therebetween in anyof a plurality of pre- -determined positions. Said pickup headpositioning means also includes coupling means effectively coupling themovable control memberwith respect 'to thepickup head (or recordingmedium) whereby to eifectively position the pickup head, with respect tothe recording medium, in a selected position determined'by theparticular stop member selectively actuated by an operator of theaptparatus. Also included is playback control means efltectivelycooperable with respect to the pickup head and the recordingv medium forcontrolling the operative relationship with respect to each other ofsaid pickup head and recording medium in accordance with a predeter'mined period of time necessary for the reproduction of the prerecordedpassages.

From the above general description of the apparatus, it will be obviousto one skilled in the art that the prior art disadvantages arecompletely or virtually completely overcome in and through the use of myinvention.

With the above points in mind, it is an object of this invention toprovide a system for the reproduction of any selected one of a pluralityof recorded passages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recordingmedium.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for positioning apickup head in reproduction relationship with respect to a continuousrecording medium at any selected one of a series of preciselypredetermined initiating positions and automatically terminating said reproduction relationship after the expiration of a prede termined periodof reproduction.

A further object of this invention is the provision of extremelyaccurate apparatus for reproducing predetermined passages in accordancewith remote, sequential selections.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means forselective reproduction of a plurality of recorded passages, sequentiallyprerecorded on a continuous recording medium, in continual nonsequentialorder.

Additional and related objects will be clear to those skilled in the artupon a careful study of this specification, including the followingdescription and drawings, and the appended claims.

In order to aid a more complete understanding of the present invention,reference will be made to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a reduced-size plan View of one preferred embodiment of theinvention, without thedetails of construction, showing the relationshipof the recorded-passage reproduction apparatus on the right (partlyfragmentary) with respect to the pickup head positioning means on theleft;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the pickup and tone arm assembly;

Fig. 3 is a .plan view of the pickup and tone arm assembly;

Fig. 4 is an elevational side view of the pickup, tone arm assembly andplayback control means, part of which is as seen along the line IV-IV inFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevational end view of the pickup and tone arm assembly asseen along the line VV in' Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the playback control means;

Fig. 7 is an elevational side View of the position selector apparatuswith a fragment of the couplingmeans;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the position selector apparatus as seen alongthe line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7; v

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional elevational view of a portion of theposition selector apparatus taken along the line IX-IX of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional elevational view, similar in aspect of Fig.9, taken along the line X-X of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the coupling means, showingthe adjustable features thereof;

Fig. 12 is a schematic of an electrical circuit for control of thevarious mechanical elements;

Fig. 13 is a continuation of the schematic of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the master current and limitingrelay; and

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of a release contact device takenalong the line XVXV of Fig. 1.

In order to clarify the specific description of the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in the drawings, said description will be insections and subsections, with each section or subsection being labeledwith the appropriate heading or subheading.

RECORDED-PASSAGE REPRODUCTION APPARATUS In general, the invention mayinclude any type of recorded-passage reproduction apparatus including apickup head and means for relatively moving, with respect to said pickuphead, in reproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuousrecording medium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecordedpassages. However, in the specific example illustrated, the continuousrecording medium comprises a spirally grooved and recorded flat disc,and the recorded-passage reproduction apparatus is of the typecustomarily employed with such spirally grooved and recorded flat discs.

Referring now to the drawings in which identical elements are given thesame numerals and particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, there is shown aturntable 16 with a flat disc 17 positioned thereon over a spindle 18and a locating pin 19, said disc constituting the spirally grooved andrecorded continuous recording medium, with the passages recorded fromthe center portion outwardly toward the periphery. The turntable 16 isdriven by an endless frictional belt 20 which almost completelyencircles the turntable 16 in a groove (not shown) therein. The endlessbelt 20 passes over two idling pulleys 21 and 22, which are rotatablymounted on a V-bracket 23, and over a driving pulley 24 which is securedto the central shaft 25 of the turntable motor 26, said motor 26 beingmounted to the main apparatus table 27 by a bracket 28 at one end andbeing supported at the other end by the endless belt 20 around thedriving pulley 24. The motor 26 is shown in reduced size for the sake ofconvenience of illustration, but is relatively larger so as to providegreater downward force against the driving pulley 24 to keep the endlessbelt 20 taut and supply the necessary driving friction between saiddriving pulley and belt. The turntable 16 is centrally mounted upon andsupported by a bearing shaft 29 in a manner well-known in the art.Centrally located within the bearing shaft 29 is a gear shaft 30 securedto the turntable 16 for rotation therewith and provided with a piniongear 31 at its lower extremity, the purpose of said gear being madeclear hereinbelow under the following subheading.

Pick-up, tohe arm assembly and playback control means Referring now toFigs. 1 to 6, inclusive, there is seen a tone arm 32 from which issuspended a conventional pickup cartridge or head 33 by means of a rigidpin 34. A stylus or needle 35 is secured to the pickup head 33 and e isadapted to engage the grooves in the disc 17. Extending rearwardly fromthe pickup head 33 is electrical wiring 36 which is connected to anamplifier and thence to a speaker, neither of which is shown, in amanner wellknown in the art. The tone arm 32 is provided with a housing37 which receives a pin 38 in loosely rotatabie connection therewith,said pin 38 being secured to the main member 39. The connection betweenthe pin 38 and the housing 37 is such that the tone arm 32 may pivotslightly about the pin 38 in both vertical and horizontal planes. Themain member 39 is a rigid piece of metal, which may be preferablyaluminum for lightness, strength and rigidity. Rotatably secured to themain member 39 by means of a pivot pin 40 is a tone arm support 41 whichis bent at right angles outwardly from said main member and is providedwith an opening, indicated generally at 42. The tone arm 32 is providedwith a projecting, rectangularly cross-sectioned extension member 43which extends into and through the hole 42. A notch 44 is located at thebottom of the hole 42. at the position farthest from the main member 39and is of such dimensions that the extension member 43 may fit preciselytherein during the non-playing period and before positioning *of thepickup and tone arm assembly, thereby fixing the position of the needle35 with respect to the main member 39. The main member 39 is rotatablypositioned upon a support post 45 which is secured to the main apparatustable 27. Two brackets, 46 and 47, are secured to the upper edge of themain member 39. A finger 48 is fastened to the bracket 47 so as toextend downwardly from said bracket 47 and over the tone arm support 41in laterally retaining and vertically guiding relationship with respectthereto. A curved spring 49 is also attached to the bracket 47 and alsoextends over the support 41, in a manner whereby, when the tone arm 32is lifted by the tone arm support 41 at the end of each playback period,said tone arm will come into contact with the spring 49 and be gentlypushed away so as to permit the extension member 43 to fall into thenotch 44. Pivotally secured to the main member 39 is a coupling orconnecting bar 50 which is cooperably related to the pickup headpositioning means, as will be more fully explained later. A verticalbracket 51 is fastened to the main apparatus table 27 and is providedwith a horizontally extending finger '52 which is adapted to fit withina slot 53 in both the main member 39 and the tone arm support 41 wherebysaid members 39 and 41 may rest upon the finger 52 during the rest ornon-playback period. A string or cord 54 is tied to the support 41 atthe hole 55 and runs over a pulley 56 which is rotatably mounted uponthe bracket 47, over a pulley 57 which is rotatably mounted upon thebracket 46, through the support post 45 and the main apparatus table 27,over the pulley 58 which is rotatably mounted by means of the bracket 59to the main apparatus table 27, and thence to the tone arm lift cam 69to which the cord 54 is tied at the hole 61. The tone arm lift cam 60 ispivotally mounted to the underside of the main apparatus table 27 bymeans of a pivot pin 62 at the opposite end from the cord 54 connectionthereto. It will be noted that the tone ar-m lift cam 60 is horizontallydisplaced from the pulley 58 so that horizontal pivotal movement to theleft, as seen in Fig. 6, will cause the cord 54 to pull upwardly on thetone arm support 41, and that horizontal pivotal movement to the right,in said Fig. 6, will cause the support 41 to be permitted to lower. Thecam 60 is biased to the right by the coil spring 63 which is secured tothe main apparatus table 27 at the hole 64.

As is seen in Figs. 4 and 6, the playback control means includes atiming gear mechanism having a main cam gear 65 which is'rotatablysecured to the underside of the main apparatus table 27 by a gear shaft66 with its bearing wheel 67 and washer 68. The previously mentionedpinion gear 31, which rotates in accordance with rotation of theturntable 16, is in constant engagement with the main cam gear 65,whereby said gear 65 will rotate in accordance with the rotation of theturntable 16. The ratio between the gears 65 and 31 may be chosen at anydesired ratio depending upon the period of time desired for the playbackof the individual passages prerecorded upon the continuous recordingmedium disc 17. Since the pinion gear 31 rotates at the same speed asthe disc 17, the playback time may be chosen by determining therelationship between the sizes of the gears and the speed of revolutionof the turntable 17. The directions of rotation of the gears 31 and 65are indicated by the directional arrows 69 and 70, respectively. Securedto the main cam gear 65 are two wheels 71 and 72 which may be eitherrotatable or not with respect to the main cam gear 65, but preferablyrotatable about their own axes so as to prevent friction against themembers they contact, as Will-hereupon be designated. The Wheel 71 comesinto sequential displacing contact with the tone arm lift cam 60 and thespring members 73 and 74 of the electrical contactors indicatedgenerally at 75 and 76, respectively. The 1 69172 comes into sequentialdisplacing contact moans-8's with the spring members 77 and 7 8 of theelectrical contactors indicated generally 79 and 80; respectively; Thelocation of all of said containers 75, 76,79 and 80 is critical in thisparticular arrangement because of the necessity of precise sequential orsimultaneous actuation of the contactors, as will be explainedilater inconnection with the operation of the over-all apparatus. It will benoted that the tone arm liftcam 60 is provided with a contoured lateralsurface having an initial hump 81 preceded by a slight concavity 82 andfollowed by a smooth continuous concavity 83 having the same radius ofcurvature as that of the circle defined by the outermost portion of thewheel 71 as the gear 65 is rotated. In operation, the wheel 71 will comeinto forcefulcontact with the hump S1 at the same time as the wheel 72is in forceful contact with the spring member 77 of the contactor 79, sothat the contactor 79 will be open as the tone arm lift cam 60 issuddenly moved forcefully to the left, which movement will cause thetone arm support 41 tobe raised. The wheel 72 will thereupon move intocontact with the spring member 78 of the contactor 80, closing saidcontactor 80 as the wheel 71 proceeds along the concavity 83. Afterleaving the concavity 83, the wheel 71 will proceed to close andopen-consecutively the contactors 75 and 76, respectively. The purposesof the electrical contactors will be fully described in connection withthe electrical circuitry hereinafter.

Returning to Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive, the cooperablerelationship of thepickup and tone arm. assembly and playback control means ishereinafterdescribed. During the resting or non-playing period, the main member 39and tone arm support 41 are resting upon the finger 52 and the tone armextension 43 is lodged securely in the notch 44. When it is desired toplay a particular pas-- sage on the recording medium, the pickup andtone arm assembly is positioned by means of the connecting bar 5t) in amanner which will be explained later. The turntable motor 26 beginsrotation of the turntable 16', which causes rotation of the main cam'gear 652 The cam wheel 71 is positioned against the concavity 83 so-thatthe needle 35 is positioned directly above the beginning point of theparticular passage desired on the recording medium. As the cam wheel 71'leaves theconcavity 83,

the tone arm lift cam 60 is permitted to pivot about itspivot point 62to the right as seen in Fig. 6, therebypermitting the string 54 to lowerthe tone arm support 41' so that the needle 35 will come into contactwith the appropriate groove on the disc 17, and the tone arm 32 willthen be free floating. At the termination of the playback period of saidpassage, the cam wheel 71' will strike the hump 81 on the tone arm liftcam 60 and cause the tone arm support 41 to be quickly raised. Theslight depression or concavity 82 does not decrease the sharpnessof saidraising, but adds to the smoothness of the operation. Since the mainmember 39 has been rigidly positioned throughout the playback period bythe connecting bar 50, and the tone arm 32 has been free floating, thetone arm extension 43 will now be positioned towards the far side of thehole 42 in the tone. arm support" 41. As the tone arm support 41-israised, it will contact and lift the tone arm extension 43, therebylifting the needle 35 from the disc 17. The side of the tone arm 32 willgentlystrike the spring member 49 which will laterally force the tonearm extension 43 into the notch 44. As the cam Wheel 71 progresses alongthe concavity 83, the connecting bar 50 will either be positioning theentire assembly in a new position preparatory to playing another.passage, or else will be returning the entire assembly to its restingposition upon the finger 52, in which. latter case the turntable motor26 will stop.

effectively cooperates with respect to; the pickup head (and, in certaincases, with respect to the recording.

medium)" forrelatively positioning said pickup head with respect to saidrecording medium in any of a plurality of different selectable'positionsfor reproducing a selected prerecorded passage. Said pickup headpositioning means includes a position selector means and coupling meanseffectivelycoupling the position selector means with respect tothepickup head (or recording medium) whereby to effectively position thepickup head with respect to the recording medium in a selected position.Said position selector means is more specifically set forth under thefollowing subheading.

Position selector means The position selector means includes a controlmember and a plurality of stop members, said control member beingrelatively movable with respect to said plurality of stop members, andsaid top members being individually and selectively actuatable withrespect to said control member to effectively stop relative movementtherebetween in any of a plurality of predetermined positions.

As seen in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, the control member includes a longitudinalarm 84 which is positioned over and parallel to the mainapparatus table27 so as to permit rotatable sweeping over said table by said arm 84.The arm 84 is secured to a drive gear 85 which is rotatably mounted tothe main apparatus table 27 ina manner well-known 'inthe art. The gear85 and the subsequently described gears are not shown in Fig. 1 for thesake of clarity of description and convenience. A selector motor 86 isin cooper'ably driving relationship with respectto the drive gear 85 bymeans of a gear train and friction gear. The selector motors shaft 87isv provided with a pinion gear 88 at the end thereof, said gear 88being in engagement with the friction gear 89. Saidfriction gear 89 isin cooperable engagement with the: coupling gear 90 which is in lateralengagement with the drive gear 85; The co-operable engagement betweenthe frictiongear 89 and the coupling gear 90-is. provided as follows:rigidly fastened in central relationship with respect to the gear 91 isa shaft 91; a I

collar 92 is secured to the shaft 91' by means ofa set screw 93;th'ecollar 92 has holes 94 and 95 drilled into it in which the pins 96and 97, respectively, may freelymove; said pins 96 and 97 are secured tothe clutch ring 98; another clutch ring 99 is securedto the gear 90;between the clutch rings 98 and 99, respectively, and the friction gear89 are graphite-coated plates of paper 100 and. 101, respectively; acompressed coil sprin 102 is positioned around the shaft 91 and seatedagainst the collar 92 and' the clutch ring 98. The shaft 91 is centrallylocated through all of the above-described members below the gear 90, inclosely fitted but non-engaged relationship with respect to saidmembers. The force exerted'by the compressed spring 102 against theclutch ring 98 causes frictional engagement of the friction gear 89withrespect to the coupling gear 90. The amount of frictional force can beadjusted by vertical positioning of the collar 92 with respect to theshaft 91, with the selected position being maintained by the set screw93. As will be explained more fully later, the friction gear arrangementpermits the maintenance of the control member against the individualstop members during the. recorded passage reproduction periods withoutplacing undue strain upon the selector motor 86 or any of the mechanicalconnections.

' As seen in Figs. 7 through 10, the control members longitudinal arm 84is provided with a stop blade 193 which has a lower projection 104loosely inserted through a longitudinal slot 105 in the arm 84 so as toextend downwardly a distance sufficient to assure lateral contact withthe stop pins of the stop members, of which one stop pin is indicated at106 in its operative position with respect to the stop blades'projection 104.

Brackets 107 and 108 are secured to the longitudinal arm 84 and providedwith slots 109 and 110, respec tively, through which the wings of thestop blade 103 project loosely, whereby said stop blade may have ahinge-like action that will be explained hereafter. The lip 111 on thestop blade 103 provides longitudinal rigidity of said blade. A kickerrod 112 is pivotally secured at 113 to a rotatable member 114 which issecured to the bracket 115 by the pivot pin 116, said bracket 115 beingattached to the longitudinal arm 84. A coil spring 117 is attached atone end 118 to the arm 84 and at the other end 119 to the rotatablemember 114 and is in constant tension so as to bias said member 114 intocontact with the longitudinal arm 84 directly above the kicker relay pin120, whereby forceful vertical movement of said pin 120 through thevertical hole 121 will cause rotation of the member 114 about its pivotpin 116. The other end of the kicker rod 112 passes through a guidingbracket 122 and is provided at its extremity with a kicker tip 123,preferably composed of an insulating material. As seen in Fig. 15, thekicker tip 123 is effectively adapted to open the normally closedrelease contactor, indicated generally at 124, by forcing the springcontact 125 to the right, thereby separating said contact from itscounterpart, contact 126. Said contacts 125 and 126 have their ends setrigidly in the support 127, which is secured to the main apparatus table27. The opening of the release contactor 124 will occur when the kickerrod 112 is forced to the right by upward movement of the kicker relaypin 120. Said movement of said pin 120 is caused by actuation of thekicker relay 128, which magnetically causes drawing up of the bar 129against the relays contact button 130. Said bar 129 is hinged at 131,. Asupport arm 132 prevents the arm 129 from falling too far away from therelay 128 when said relay is de-energized.

Returning to the kicker rod 112, it can be seen that a collar 133 issecured to said rod and is provided with a circumferentially bevelledend 134, which is adapted to abut against a shoe 135, which is providedwith a correspondingly bevelled concavity. The shoe 135 is secured tothe stop blade 103. Except during the short period of time in which thekicker rod 112 has been forced to the right, the collars end 134 iswedged against the shoe 135 so as to maintain the stop blade 103 in arigid vertical position whereby the stop blades lower projection 104 maycome into positive contact with the stop pin 106 (or any other of thestop pins which may have been actuated) and will maintain that positionduring the playback period. Immediately upon termination of theparticular selected passage, the kicker relay 128 will be energized,causing the kicker rod 112 to be forced to the right, thereby releasingthe rigid positioning of the stop blade 103 so that it will become loosein the slots 109 and 110 and swing in a hinge-like manner, therebyreleasing most of the friction between the projection 104 and the stoppin 106 which might prevent said stop pin from dropping when therecorded passage terminates.

Referring to Fig. 1, it can be seen that a plurality of stop members,one of which is indicated generally at 136, are positioned in concentriccircles, and are circumferentially spaced in a geometric pattern whichcorresponds to the circular nature of the recording medium 17 and thelever arm mechanics of the particular embodiment illustrated. Each stopmember has its corresponding electrical release contactor in radialalignment therewith, as contactor 124 is in alignment with stop member136.

Returning to Fig. 7, a somewhat detailed view of a stop member may beseen, associated with the stop pin 106. The physically parallel coils,indicated generally at 137 and 138, are in series electrically and will,when energized, cause upward movement of the bar 139 by magneticattraction, which bar is shown in the nonenergized position at 139'.Said bar is pivoted at 140. A retainer 141 has a foot 142 which islocated below the bar 139' in support thereof, when the coils 137 and138 are not energized. Insulating buttons 143 and 144 are positioned atthe ends of the coils 137 and 138, respectively, to prevent magneticsticking of the bar 139 after said coils are de-energized. The stop pin106 is located in an eccentric hole 145 in a cylindrical vertical member146, and is provided with a compressed spring 147 which abuts againstthe stop pins lower tip 148 and said cylindrical member 146 indownwardly biasing action with re spect to the pin 106. The upperportion of the cylindrical member 146 is provided with external threads149 so that said member 146 may be secured to the main apparatus table27 by two lock nuts 150 and 151 positioned on opposite surfaces of thetable 27. The upper portion of the cylindrical member 146 is providedwith a slot 152 adapted to receive a screwdriver tip. Speakinggenerally, the geometric positioning of the stop members as seen in Fig.1 provides only a rough adjustment for controlling the stopping of thecontrol member at specific points in accordance with the desiredpositioning of the tone arm assembly and pickup head through thecoupling means. Extremely fine adjustment is obtained by rotation of thecylindrical member 146 about its own vertical axis, thereby causingrotation of the stop pin 106 about said axis, which causes variation inboth the circumferential and radial positioning of the stop pin withrespect to the concentric circles shown in Fig. 1. Said rotation of thecylindrical member 146 is obtained by loosening the upper lock nut 150,turning said member 146 with a screwdriver inserted into the slot 152,and then tightening the lock nut 150 again.

As the longitudinal arm 84 sweeps over the stop pins, the stop bladewill come into contact with whichever stop pin is lifted by actuation ofits corresponding stop member. It can thus be seen that the position ofthe arm 84 is determined by the particular stop pin that has beenlifted. The back end portion 153 of the longitudinal arm 84 is providedwith the coupling means which will be described more fully hereinafterunder the following subheading.

Coupling means The coupling means effectively couples the movablecontrol member with respect to the pickup head (or, in certain cases,the recording medium) whereby to effectively position the pickup headwith respect to the recording medium in a selected position determinedby the particular stop member selectively actuated by an operator of theapparatus. In the specific form illustrated, the coupling meansmechanically connects the movable control member with respect to thepickup head, and, furthermore, this eifective connection actually takesplace through and by means of the tone arm assembly only during thoseperiods when the tone arm assembly and the pickup head are elfectivelyjoined together by the playback control means previously described.

As seen in Fig. l, the connecting bar 50 is attached to the pickupassemblys main member 39 by pivot pin 154 so that movement of theconnecting bar 50 will cause corresponding positioning movement of saidmain member 39. In Figs. 7 and 11, it can be more clearly seen that theother end of the connecting bar 50 is cooperably related to the rearportion of the longitudinal arm 84. A post 155 is secured to thelongitudinal arm and is provided with an angle member 156 in pivotalrelationship with respect thereto by means of a pivot pin 157. A plate158 is attached to the angle member 156 at 159 and it is also adjustablyconnected to said member 156 by means of a screw 160 threadably engagingthe two projections 161 and 162 on the plate 158 and angle member 156,respectively. The plate 158 is in linear alignment with and connected tothe connecting bar 50 by means of an adjustable connector 163, which issecured to the plate 158 by rivets 164 and 165 and provided with alongitudinal slot 166, in which slot screws 1'67 and 168 can berelatively moved with respect to said slot for effective lengthening orshortening of the connecting bar 50. By means of the connector 163, anadjustment can be made for the length of the connecting bar 50 inaccordance. with the'radial length of the grooved portion of'the recorddisc 17. The adjustable screw 160 permits arough adjustment of thepositioning of the pickup and tone-arm'assembly with respect to theinitial positions for the recorded passages. As previously explained,each of the individual magnetic stop members can be adjusted for theindividual initial positions by rotation about their axes, giving thefiner adjustment.

The solid-line apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 shows the restingposition of the device. The dash-line apparatus illustrates oneoperative position. As can be seen from these two positions, as thelongitudinal arm 84 rotates above the stop pins, the pickup and tone-armassembly is variously positioned over the disc 17. If a stop pin, suchas 106, is in a lifted position due to selective actuation by theoperator of the apparatus, the

, pickup and tone-arm assembly will be positively positioned in thestarting position above the disc 17 corresponding to the passageselected by the operator. The operation of the entire apparatus will bedescribed in detail later.

ELECTRIC CIRCUITRY Figures 12 and 13 schematically illustrate theelectrical control circuits and some of the mechanical parts. Where anelectrical symbol is used for a previously described mechanical part, itis designated by the same numeral whenever possible to do so. Variouselectrical circuits and components have not been illustrated in de-.

apparatus, but have been included simply because a prototype suitablefor use in a large retail food market has been made, embodying thesecomponents, andthey help to illustrate the adaptability and at least oneuse of this invention.

The turntable motor 26 is associated with its primary winding 169, theturntable motor-starting relay 170 and the turntable motor-stoppingrelay 171. The selector motor 86 is associated with its primary winding172, the selector motor booster relay 173 and the selector motor stoprelay 174. Various other relays are designated as follows: The mastercurrent and limiting relay 175; the idler stop lift magnet 176; theidler safety stop lift magnet 177; the idler stop holding relay 178; theamplifier-current release relay 179; the wait signal relay 180; thekicker relay 181; the stop lift magnets, one of which is designated as136:: and others of which are located in a line directly therebelow as136b, 1360 and so forth; and the stop lift control relays, one of whichis designated as 18211. and others of which are located in a linedirectly therebelow as 182b, 1820 and so forth. The following areadditional components: The alternating current line fuse 183; the mainpower switch 184; manually operated push buttons, of which one isdesignated as 185a and others are located in a line directly therebelowas 18517, 1850 and so forth; release contactors, of which one isdesignated generally as 124a and others of which are located directlytherebelow as 124b, 1240 and so forth; a 4-way rectifier indicatedgenerally at 186, capable of delivering at least one ampere of rectifiedcurrent; additional recti fiers indicated at 187, 188 and 189; atransformer indicated generally at 190 which energizes the turntablemotor-stopping relay 171; the main power transformer indicated generallyat 191, which transformer reduces the current for the rec'tifiers so asto maintain approximately 35 volts of direct current, operates the mainportions of the entire mechanism, and supplies approximately 55 voltsalternating current in the selector motor 86; the idler light 192; aseries of wait signal lights indicated generally at 193 and adapted toilluminate wait message panels; and push button indicating lights, ofwhich one is designated 194a and others are located in a line directlytherebelow as 194b, 194c and so forth.

Several capacitors and a resistor are located throughout the device, forpurposes well-known in the art, and are designated at C1, C2, C3, C4 andR1, the last having about ohms resistance. The leads A, B, C, -D, and Ein Figs. 12 and 13 are connected to their respective continuations. Theleads F, G, H, l and K in Fig. 13 have been terminated for the sake ofclarity and simplifi'cation of illustration, but are actually connectedto a series of identical components which are connected and arranged asillustrated for the five push buttons and corresponding componentsshown. In the prototype I have made and operated, there are ninety-sixpush buttons with their corresponding components. The leads M and N areconnected to the high voltage transformer of the power supply of theaudio amplifier, none of which is shown because it is so well-known inthe art.

The dash-line indicated at L represents the convenient mechanicalseparation between the main body of the mechanism and the panel controlboard components. I have operated numerous panel control boardssimultaneously, each of the push buttons and components being inparallel electrically with its corresponding parts on the other boards.The wait signal lights 1 93 are located individually in each panelcontrol board.

The main cam gear '65 and its associated contacts are seen as thoughfrom the top, as opposed to the mechanical bottom view in Fig. 6. -Allof the contacts are illustrated in their normal open or closed positionwhen the entire device is in -a quiescent state.

The master current and limiting relay is shown in some mechanical detailin Fig. 14 and constitutes an electromagnet which is operative on bothends. This relay initiates the operations of the principal portions ofthe entire device and, at the same time, serves to limit the number ofpush buttons that can be operated simultaneously with any actuationeffect. The iron cylinder, indicated generally at 195, has a horizontalaxis and contains a coil of heavy wire (not shown). Two iron armatures196 and 197 are located at opposite ends and are hinged at 198 and 199,respectively, so as to be able to pivot towards and away from thecylinder 195. On the inner surface of each of the armatures 196 and 197is a thin bronze sheet or strip 200 and 201, respectively. A bracket202, to which the cylinder and the hinges 198 and 199 are secured, isprovided with mounting posts 203 and 204 to which are attached tensionbiasing springs 205 and 206, respectively, which are in turn attached tothe armatures 196 and 197, respectively, so as to tend to maintain themin an outward position with respect to the coil, as illustrated. Thecontacts 207 and 208, which are attached to but insulated from thearmatures 196 and 197, respectively, are thus in normally open andclosed,

respectively, relationship with respect to their counterparts, contacts209 and 210, respectively. Posts 211 and 212 serve to limit the outwardmovement of the armatures 196 and 197, respectively. The mounting posts203 and 204 may-be manually bent inwardly or outwardly, 'as may bedesired, to adjust the tension of the springs 205 and 206, respectively,for desired performance. Contacts 207 and 209 close at the pressing ofany one push button and remain closed as long. as any push button hasbeen actuated. Contacts 208 and 210 remain normally closed and open onlywhen too much current passes through the coil, as when, for example,five push buttons have been actuated during the same period and are,waiting for the playing of their corresponding passages. Thus, the ad-11" justment of the mounting post 204 determines the number of buttonswhich may be actuated at the same time before the wait signal lights 193will be energized.

Viewing Figs. 1 and 12, the idler stop member, indicated generally at176 in Fig. 1, is located so that its stop pin (not seen) willpositively position the control member in its resting position, with thepickup and tonearm assembly resting on its support 52, when no pushbuttons have been actuated. The idler safety stop member, indicatedgenerally at 177 in Fig. 1, is a duplicate of the idler stop member 176and is designed to operate simultaneously with said member 176 as asafety factor under the following conditions: when the power to thedevice has been turned off, the stop lift magnets, including those ofthe idler and idler safety stop members, will be de-energized; thecontrol member will remain at its resting position because of theabsence of any force tending to move it, and the idler stop pin willtend to remain up and in contact with the stop blade because offriction; however, the idler stop pin may drop after a while, leavingthe control member free to move, which it may do by a slight amount soas to be a fraction of an inch clockwise of the idler stop pin; in thisevent, when the power to the device is turned back on and the idler stoppin is automatically raised, the control member would be able to make acomplete rotation before stopping against the idler stop pin, allwithout being synchronized with the playback control mechanism, with thepossible result of scratching the stylus across the record as the pickupand tone arm assembly would not be lifted by the playback controlmechanism. Thus, the idler safety stop member serves the function ofraising an idler stop pin in front of the control member when the mainpower to the device is turned on. The idler release contactors 213 andthe idler safety release contactors 214 operate the same way as therelease contactors of the other stop members. Those components,principally various contacts, the function of which have not previouslybeen explained, Will be more clearly described under the followingheading.

MODE OF OPERATION The operation of the apparatus shall be describedthrough a complete cycle.

When the main power switch 184 is turned on, current flows into thetransformer 191. The rectifier 186, being directly across the secondarywinding of the transformer 191 at taps 215 and 216, obtains powerimmediately and places a positive and negative potential on leads D andE, respectively, the contacts 208 and 210 being closed. At the sametime, transformer 191 supplies a low voltage of approximately 55 voltsto the primary winding 172 of the selector motor 86, the circuit beingfrom the tap 215, through the closed contact 217 and 218 of the selectormotors stop relay 1'74 and booster relay 173, respectively, to theprimary winding 172, through the closed contacts 219 and 79, to the tap216 on the transformer 191 again. The selector motor 06, being energizedwith this low voltage, holds a tension on the control members stop blade103 against the stop pin that has been raised. At the same time, theidler stop lift holding relay 178 is energized, the circuit being fromthe negative potential point 220 of the rectifier 186, through theclosed contacts 221, through the idler stop components 214, 177, 213 and176 to the relay 178 and then to the positive potential point 222, thedirect current potential between points 220 and 222 being approximately35 volts. Idler stop lift holding relay 17S closes contacts 223, placingthe idler stop components directly across the 35 volt potential so thatthe idler stop pins 224 and 225 will remain up until a button is pushedfor selection of a recorded passage. Relay 178 also closes contacts 226,thereby lighting the idler light 192 by placing it across taps 215 and227 on the transformer 1191. Nothing else changes: everything re- 12mains waiting for the selective actuation of a push button.

Assuming that the push button a, for example, is selected and pressed,the stop lift control relay 182a, the stop lift magnet 136a, and themaster current relay 175 will be energized by being placed in seriesacross the 35 volt potential of points 220 and 222. Said magnet 136awill cause its stop pin 106 to be raised. Said relay 182a will closecontacts 228 and 229, contacts 228 causing the push button indicatinglight 194a to be placed across taps 215 and 227 and therefore lighted.The master current relay 175 closes its contacts 207 and 209, causingthe turntable motor starting relay 170 and the amplifier-current releaserelay 179 to be energized by being placed across the potential points220 and 222.

Said relay 179 closes contacts 230, which release the 13+ voltage to theaudio amplifier that plays the recorded passages. Said relay 170 closescontacts 231, which places the primary winding of the transformer andthe turntable motors primary 169 directly across the 110 voltalternating current supply, thus starting the turntable motor 26 andenergizing the secondary winding 232 of the transformer 190. Turntablemotor stopping relay 171 is directly across the secondary winding 232through the closed contacts 76, thus closing contacts 233 and 234.

The turntable motor 26 starts turning the turntable 16 which, throughthe pinion gear 31, turns the main cam gear 65, as explained previouslyin relation to Fig. 4. The main cam gear 65 turns in the direction 70,shown in Figs. 6 and 12. As said gear 65 begins to turn, cam wheel 71lifts the tone-arm assembly from its resting position and cam wheel 72opens contacts 79, the latter action having the effect of permitting thealternating current that is flowing through the selector motors winding172 to pass through the rectifier 189 and energize the kicker relay 181,whereby the kicker rod tip 123 will abruptly open the idler releasecontactors 213 or 214 (whichever happens to be in line), de-energizingthe idler stop lift magnets 176 and 177 and the idler stop holding relay178. Thus, the idler stops pin 224, and 225 will drop and thelongitudinal arm 84 will begin to rotate. Note particularly that camwheel 72 keeps the contactor 79 open for only a short period of time,

that time being suflicient for the release contacts 213 and 214 to-openand immediately close. When the idler stops drop, the cam wheel 72immediately closes the contacts 80, causing actuation of the selectormotor booster relay 173 which closes contacts 235 and 236 so as topermit the full 110 volts of alternating current to be impressed acrossthe selector motors winding 172. This large current lasts for only avery short period of time, as the cam wheel 72 releases the contacts 80as it moves on, but this period is sufiicient for the selector motor 86to be given a boosted start to find the stop pin that has been lifted bythe pressing of the corresponding push button. Said booster currentmakes it possible for the selector control member to find the stopmember during the interval of time it takes the turntable to make onerevolution.

As soon as the control member has contacted the stop member that is inits order of rotation, the control member stops abruptly and positivelyin the selected position and is held there by the selector motor whichcontinues to tend to rotate the control member through the frictionclutch that is in the gear train.

During all of this time, cam wheel 71 has been holding the pickup andtone-arm assembly above the recording medium as said assembly has beenpositioned by the coupling means. Now, cam wheel 71 moves far enough tolet said assembly descend for contact with the recording medium.

Cam 71 then closes contacts 75, which energizes the selector motor stoprelay 174, thereby opening contacts 217 and closing contacts 238. Byopening contacts 217,

'13 all current to the selector motors winding 172 is cut off, causingsaid motor to stop momentarily. The stylus is on the record duringapproximately fiVe-sixths of the time it takes main cam gear 65 torevolve one time, under the arrangement illustrated here.

It should be noted here that cam wheel 71 actuates the tone-arm liftingmechanism, the closing of contacts 75 and the opening of contacts 76,While cam wheel 72 only actuates the opening of contacts 79 and theclosing of contacts 80. Cam wheel'71 is set in relation to earn Wheel 72so that at the instant cam 71 lifts the tone-arm assembly from therecording medium, cam 72 opens contacts 79 which drops the stop pins.

Near the end of the playing period of the passage, cam wheel 71 openscontacts 76, which de-energizes the relay 171 momentarily, therebyopening contacts 234. Since contacts 234 are in series with the holdingcontacts 238 of selector motor stop relay 174, said relay 174 will bede-energized and contacts 217 will close, sending current back into theselector motor again and thereby holding the pressure against the liftedstop pin 106. Thus, the low voltage is on the selector motor during thepassing of cam71 from contacts 76 to contacts 75 except for themomentary cutofr of almost all of the current when cam 72 opens contacts79 and the momentary boost of the current when cam 72 closes contacts80.

After the playing of the selected passage, cam 71 lifts the tone armassembly, cam 72 opens the contacts 79 and the release contacts 124 forthe lifted stop pin 106 are suddenly opened and closed by the action ofthe kicker relay 181 transmitted to the kicker tip 123. At that time,the stop pin 106 drops and the selector motor 86 is given a boost by theaction of cam 72 closing contacts 80, causing the control member toeither find another stop member that may have been actuated or go to theidler stop member 176 which would be actuated in the absence of anyactuated push buttons. In the event that no other push buttons haveinstituted another cycle, the current through the master current relay175.would be stopped, de-energizing motor starting relay 170 andamplifier-current release relay 179, and actuating idler stop holdingrelay 178 and idler stop lift magnets 176 and 177.

When the control member comes to rest at the idler stop member, thecycle continues the same as for a re production cycle except that thepickup and tone-armassembly has been brought to rest on the support 52,Where it stays during this stopping cycle. When the stopping cycle iscompleted, the cam Wheel 71 opens contacts 76; due to the fact thatthere is no current in turntable motor starting relay 170, the turntablemotor 26 comes to a stop. The device now stands idle until another pushbutton is pressed.

Relay 175 serves the additional purpose of being a limiting relay. Sincethe current through relay 175 is directly proportional to the number ofpush buttons that have been actuated, the contacts 208210 will open Whenthe tension of the spring 206 is overcome by electromagnetic attraction.Then, if another button is pressed, the current that has been goingthrough the normally closed contacts 208-210 will pass-through the waitsignal relay 180 which is in parallel with said contacts, Said relay 180will be energized as long as the contacts 208- 210 remain open. Relay180 closes contacts 239 and 240, causing the Wait signal lights 193 tobe actuated, thereby giving notice that all other buttons are inactiveuntil several passages have been played.

CONCLUSION A considerable range of modifications of the overallapparatus and/or various components thereof is contemplated within thescope of the invention. For example, the pickup head and recordingmedium need be only relatively movable with respect to each other, sothat the recording medium may be. adapted to be sta- 14 tionaryduringtheplayback period; while the pickup head traversed theprerecorded passage portion of said recording medium.

For another example, the plurality of stop members of the pickup headpositioning means may be effectively adapted to be selectively rotatedwhile the control member of said pickup head positioning means remainsstationary, accompanied by an effective adaptation of the coupling meansfor relative positioning of the pickup head with respect to therecording medium. Another modification contemplates pickup headpositioning. means having rectilinearly movable control member meanseffectively indexed by selectively actuatable stop members.

While the invention has been specifically described in a form embodyingrecorded-passage reproduction apparatus of the type adapted to play backa recording of the spirally grooved and recorded flat disc type, theinvention is not limited to this arrangement, but also encompassesarrangements embodying other types of reproduction apparatus adapted toplay back other types of recordings. For example, magnetic type, soundreproduction apparatus of the drum, tape or Wire types (or other types)may be employed within the basic spirit and scope of the presentinvention. One such magnetic type, sound reproduction apparatus of thedrum type recording medium (or transport therefor) variety is morespecifically described, illustrated and claimed in copending patentapplication, Serial No; 575,384, filed April 2, 1956.

Other modifications, within the spirit and scope of this invention, willbe obvious to those skilled in the art upon careful examination of thisspecification.

The word sequentially used in the expression sequentially prerecordedpassages, and similar expressions herein, is merely intended to meanthat different ones of the prerecorded passages are related with respectto each other and the recording medium in a manner such that, if therecording medium is continuously operated with respect to the pickuphead, said, recorded passages. will be reproduced sequentially.

I do not intend to limit the invention (and/or patent application) tothe specific version described and illustrated, but limit it only in thelight of the prior art and the appended claims, with due considerationfor the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality ofrecordedpassages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recording medium,comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relatively move ina reproducing direction, with respect to said pickup head and inreproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuous recordingmedium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecorded passages; pickuphead positioning means effectively cooperable with respect to the pickuphead and the recording medium for positioning said pickup head, withrespect to said recording medium, in any of a plurality of differentselectable positions for re producing a selected prerecorded passage;said pickup head positioning means including position selector meanscomprising a control member and a plurality of circularly spaced stopmembers; said control member being relatively rotatable with respect tosaid plurality of stop members; and said stop members being individuallyand selectively actuatable with respect to said control mem: ber toefiectively stop relative rotation therebetween in any of a plurality ofpredetermined positions; said pickup head positioning means alsoincluding mechanical coupling means effectively mechanically couplingthe rotatable control member with respect to the pickup head and therecording medium whereby to effectively relatively position the pickuphead, With respect to the recording medium, in any one of a plurality ofselected positions extending across the recording medium and across saidreproducing direction and along the path of reciprocating movementprovided by said notary-toreciprocating movement translating crankmeans, said selected position being determined by the particular stopmember selectively actuated by an operator of the apparatus.

2. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality of recordedpassages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recording medium,comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relatively move ina reproducing direction, with respect to said pickup head and inreproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuous recordingmedium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecorded passages; pickuphead positioning means effectively cooperable with respect to the pickuphead and the recording medium for positioning said pickup head, withrespect to said recording medium, in any of a plurality of difierentselectable positions for reproducing a selected prerecorded passages;said pickup head positioning means including position selector meanscomprising a control member and a plurality of circularly spaced stopmembers; said control member being relatively rotatable with respect tosaid plurality of stop members; and said stop members being individuallyand selectively actuatable with respect to said control member toeffectively stop relative rotation therebetween in any of a plurality ofpredetermined positions; said pickup head positioning means alsoincluding mechanical coupling means comprising rotary-to-reciprocatingmovement translating crank means consisting of connecting rod meanseffectively coupled adjacent a first end with respect to said rotatablecontrol member at a location spaced from the center of rotation thereofand eifectively coupled adjacent a second end with respect to saidpickup head, said second end of said connecting rod means beingeffectively constrained to provide reciprocating movement of said pickuphead along a line substantially across said reproducing directionwhereby to effectively position said pickup head, with respect to therecording medium, in any one of a plurality of selected positionsextending across the recording medium and across said reproducingdirection and along the path of reciprocating movement provided by saidrotary-to-reciprocating movement translating crank means, said selectedposition being determined by the particular stop member selectivelyactuated by an operator of the apparatus.

3. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality of recordedpassages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recording medium,comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relatively move ina reproducing direction, with respect to said pickup head and inreproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuous recordingmedium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecorded passages; pickuphead positioning means effectively cooperable with respect to the pickuphead and the recording medium for positioning said pickup head, withrespect to said recording medium, in any of a plurality of differentselectable positions for reproducing a selected prerecorded passage;said pickup head positioning means including position selector meanscomprising a control member and a plurality of circularly spaced stopmembers; said control member being relatively rotatable with respect tosaid plurality of stop members; and said stop members being individuallyand selectively actuatable with respect to said control member toeffectively stop relative rotation therebetween in any of a plurality ofpredetermined positions; said pickup head positioning means alsoincluding mechanical coupling means comprising rotary-to-reciprocatingmovement translating crank means eifectively mechanically coupling therotatable control member with respect to the pickup head and therecording medium whereby to effectively relatively position the pickuphead, with respect to the recording medium, in any one of a plurality ofselected positions extending across the recording medium and across saidreproducing direction and along the path of reciprocating movementprovided by said rotary-to-reciprocating movement translating crankmeans, said selected position being determined by the particular stopmember selectively actuated by an operator of the apparatus; andselectively operable motor means cooperable with respect to said controlmember and said plurality of stop members to cause relative rotation ofsaid control member with respect to said plurality of stop members; saidmotor means being selectively operable in response to actuation of anyparticular stop member to cause relative rotation of said control memberwith respect to said stop members into a selected position determined bysaid particular stop member.

4. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality of recordedpassages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recording medium,comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relatively move ina reproducing direction, with respect to said pickup head and inreproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuous recordingmedium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecorded passages; pickuphead positioning means effectively cooperable with respect to the pickuphead and the recording medium for positioning said pickup head, withrespect to said recording medium, in any of a plurality of differentselectable positions for reproducing a selected prerecorded passage;said pickup head positioning means including position selector meanscomprising a control member and a plurality of circularly spaced stopmembers; said control member being relatively rotatable with respect tosaid plurality of stop members; and said stop members being individuallyand selectively actuatable with respect to said control member toeffectively stop relative rotation therebetween in any of a plurality ofpredetermined positions; said pickup head positioning means alsoincluding mechanical coupling means comprising rotary-to-reciprocatingmovement translating crank means consisting of connecting rod meanseffectively coupled adjacent a first end with respect to said rotatablecontrol member at a location spaced from the center of rotation thereofand eifectively coupled adjacent a second end with respect to saidpickup head, said second end of said connecting rod means beingeffectively constrained to provide reciprocating movement of said pickuphead along a line substantially across said reproducing directionwhereby to efiectively position said pickup head, with respect to therecording medium, in any one of a plurality of selected positionsextending across the recording medium and across said reproducingdirection and along the path of reciprocating movement provided by saidrotary-to-reciprocating movement translating crank means, said selectedposition being determined by the particular stop member selectivelyactuated by an operator of the apparatus; and selectively operable motormeans cooperable with respect to said control member to rotate it withrespect to said plurality of stop members; said motor means beingselectively operable in response to actuation of any particular stopmember to rotate said control member, with respect to said stop members,into a selected position determined by said particular stop member.

5. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality of recordedpassages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recording medium,comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relatively move ina reproducing direction, with respect to said pickup head and inreproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuous recordingmedium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecorded passages; pickuphead positioning means effectively cooperable with respect to the pickuphead and the recording medium for positioning said ickup head, withrespect to said recording medium, in any of a plurality of differentselectable positions for reproducing a selected prerecorded passage;said pickup head positioning means including position selector meanscomprising. a control member and a plurality of circularly ac-sassspaced stop members; said control member being'relatively rotatable withrespect to said pluralityof stop members; and said stop members beingindividually and selectively actuatable with respect to said controlmember to effectively stop relative rotation therebetween in any of aplurality of predetermined positions; said pickup head positioning meansalso including mechanical coupling means comprisingrotary-to-reciprocating movement translating crank means effectivelymechanically coupling the rotatable control member with respect to'thepickup head and the recording medium whereby to efiectivelyrelatively position the pickup head, with respect to the recordingmedium, in any one of a plurality of selected positions extending acrossthe recording medium and across said reproducing direction and along thepath of reciprocating movement provided by said :rotary-to-reciprocatingmovement translating crank means, said selected position beingdetermined by the particular stop member selectively actuated by anoperator of the apparatus; and playback control means cooperable toeffectively disengage the control member with respect to the pickup headwhen said pickup head has been eifectively positioned with respect tothe recording medium to play a prerecorded passage, and cooperable toeifectively reengage the control member, with respect to the pickuphead, after the passage of a predeterminedperiod of playback time.

6. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality of recordedpassages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recording medium,comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relatively move inareproducing direction, with respect to said pickup head and inreproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuous recordingmedium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecorded passages; pickuphead positioning means effectively cooperable with respect to the pickup:head and the recording medium for positioning said pickup head, withrespect to said recording medium,. in any of a plurality of differentselectable positions for reproducing a selected prerecorded passage;said pickup head positioning means including position selectormeans-comprising a control member and a plurality of circularly spacedstop members; said control member being relatively rotatable Withrespect to said plurality of stop members; and said stop members beingindividually and se-.

lectively actuatable with respect to said control member to efiectivelystop relative rotation therebetween in any of a plurality ofpredetermined positions; said pickup head positioning means alsoincluding mechanical coupling means comprising rotary-to-reciprocatingmovement translating crank means consisting of connecting rod means'efiectively coupled adjacent a first'end with respect to said rotatablecontrol member at a location spaced from the center of rotation thereofand efiectively coupled adjacent a second end with respect to 'saidpickup head, said second end of said connecting rod means beingefiectively constrained to. provide reciprocating movement of saidpickup head along a line substantially across said reproducingdirection, whereby to efiectively position said pickup head, withrespect to the recording medium, in any one of a plurality of selectedpositions extending across the recording medium and across saidreproducing direction and along the path of reciprocating movementprovided by said rotary-to-reciprocating movement translating crankmeans, said selected position being determined by the particular stopmember selectively actuated by an operator of the apparatus; andplayback control means cooperable to effectively disengage'saidconnecting rod means with respect to the pickup :head when said pickuphead has been effectively positioned with respect to the recordingmedium to play "a prerecorded passage, and cooperable to effectivelyreengage said connecting rod means, with respect to the pickup head,after the passage of a predetermined period of playback time.

7. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality ofrecordedpassages sequentially prerecorded-on a continuous recordingmedium, comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relativelymove in a reproducing direction, with respect to said pickup head and inreproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuous recordingmedium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecorded passages; pickuphead positi'oningmeans eiiectively cooperable With respect to the pickuphead and the recording medium for positioning said pickup head, withrespect to said recording medium, in any of a plurality of differentselectable positions for reproducing a selected prerecorded passage;said pickup head positioning means including position selector meanscomprising a control member and a plurality of circularly spaced stopmembers; said control member being relatively rotatable with respectto'said plurality of stop members; and said stop members beingindividually and selectively actuatable with respect to said controlmember to eliectively stop relative rotation therebetween in any of aplurality of predetermined positions; said pickup head positioning meansalso including mechanical coupling means comprisingrotary-to-reciprocatingmovement-translating crank means eifectivelymechanically coupling the rotatable control member with respect to thepickup head and the recording medium whereby to eiiectively relativelyposition the pickup head, with respect to the recording medium in anyone of a plurality of selected positions extending across the recordingmedium 'and across said reproducing direction and along the path ofreciprocating movement provided by said rotary-to-reciprocating movementtranslating crank means, said selected position being determined by theparticular stop member selectively actuated by an operator of theapparatus, and selectively operable motor means cooperable with respectto said control member and said plurality of stop members to causerelative rotation of said control member with respect to said pluralityof stop members; said motor means being selectively operable in responseto actuation of any particular stop member to cause relative rotation ofsaid control member with respect to said stop members into a selectedposition determined by said particular stop member; and playback controlmeans cooperable .to effectively disengage the control member withrespect to the pickup head when said pickup head has been effectivelypositioned with respect to the recording medium to play a prerecordedpassage, 'a'nd'cooperable to effectively reengage the control member,with respect to the vpickup head, after the passage of a predeterminedperiod of playback time.

8. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality of-reeordedpassages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recording medium,comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relatively move ina reproducing direction, with respect to said pickup head and inreproduction relationship relative thereto, a continuous recordingmedium bearing a plurality of sequentially prerecorded passages; pickuphead positioning means effectively cooperable with respect to the pickuphead and the recording medium for positioning said pickup head, withrespect to said recording medium, in any of a plurality of differentselectable positions for reproducing a selected prerecorded passage;said pickup head positioning means including position selector meanscomprising a control member and a plurality of circularly spaced stopmembers; said control member being relatively rotatable with respect tosaid plurality of stop members; and said stop members being individuallyand selectively actuatable with respect to said control member toeffectively stop relative rotation therebetween in any of a plurality ofpredetermined positions; said pickup head positioning means alsoincluding mechanical coupling means comprising rotary-to-reciprocatingmovement transla'ting crank means consisting of connecting rod meansefiectively coupled adjacent a first end with respect to said rotatablecontrol member at a location spaced from the center of rotation thereofand effectively coupled adjacent a second end with respect to saidpickup head, said second end of said connecting rod means beingeffectively constrained to provide reciprocating movement of said pickuphead along a line substantially across said reproducing directionwhereby to effectively position said pickup head, with respect to therecording medium, in any one of a plurality of selected positionsextending across the recording medium and across said reproducingdirection and along the path of reciprocating movement provided by saidrotary-to-reciprocating movement translating crank means, said selectedposition being determined by the particular stop member selectivelyactuated by an operator of the apparatus; and selectively operable motormeans cooperable with respect to said control member to rotate it withrespect to said plurality of stop members; said motor means beingselectively operable in response to actuation of any particular stopmember to rotate said control member, with respect to said stop members,into a selected position determined by said particular stop member; andplayback control means cooperable to effectively disengage saidconnecting rod means with respect to the pickup head when said pickuphead has been effectively positioned with respect to the recordingmedium to play a prerecorded passage, and cooperable to effectivelyreengage said connecting rod means,, with respect to the pickup head,after the passage of a predetermined period of playback time.

9. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality of recordedpassages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recording medium,comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relatively move,with respect to said pickup head and in reproduction relationshiprelative thereto, a continuous recording medium bearing a plurality ofsequentially prerecorded passages; pickup head positioning meanseffectively cooperable with respect to the pickup head and the recordingmedium for positioning said pickup head, with respect to said recordingmedium, in any of a plurality of different selectable positions forreproducing a selected prerecorded passage; said pickup head positioningmeans including position selector means comprising a control member anda plurality of circularly spaced stop members; said control member beingrelatively rotatable with respect to said plurality of stop members; andsaid stop members being individually and selectively actuatable withrespect to said control member to effectively stop relative rotationtherebetween in any of a plurality of predetermined positions; saidpickup head positioning means also including mechanical coupling meanscomprising rotary-toreciprocating movement translating means consistingof connecting rod means effectively pivotally connected adjacent a firstend with respect to said rotatable control member at a location remotefrom the center thereof and effectively pivotally connected adjacent asecond end with respect to said pickup head, means constraining saidsecond end of said connecting rod means to provide reciprocatingmovement only along a line substantially perpendicular to the directionof movement of said pickup head relative to said recording medium duringreproduction of said recorded passages whereby to effectively positionsaid pickup head, with respect to the recording medium, in any one of aplurality of selected positions extending across the recording mediumand across said reproducing direction and along the path ofreciprocating movement provided by said rotary-to-reciprocating movementtranslating crank means, said selected position being determined by theparticular stop member selectively actuated by an operator of theapparatus.

10. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality ofrecorded passages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recordingmedium, comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relativelymove, with respect to said pickup head and in reproduction relationshiprelative thereto, a continuous recording medium bearing a plurality ofsequentially prerecorded passages; pickup head positioning meanseffectively cooperable with respect to the pickup head and the recordingmedium for positioning said pickup head, with respect to said recordingmedium, in any of a plurality of different selectable positions forreproducing a selected prerecorded passage; said pickup head positioningmeans including position selector means comprising a control member anda plurality of circularly spaced stop members; said control member beingrelatively rotatable with respect to said plurality of stop members; andsaid stop members being individually and selectively actuatable withrespect to said control member to elfectively stop relative rotationtherebetween in any of a plurality of predetermined positions; saidpickup head positioning means also including mechanical coupling meanscomprising rotary-toreciprocating movement translating means consistingof connecting rod means effectively pivotally connected adjacent a firstend with respect to said rotatable control member at a location remotefrom the center thereof and effectively pivotally connected adjacent asecond end with respect to said pickup head, means constraining saidsecond end of said connecting rod means to provide reciprocatingmovement only along a line substantially perpendicular to the directionof movement of said pickup head relative to said recording medium duringre production of said recorded passages whereby to efiectively positionsaid pickup head, with respect to the recording medium, in any one of aplurality of selected positions extending across the recording mediumand across said reproducing direction and along the path ofreciprocating movement provided by said rotary-toreciprocating movementtranslating crank means, said selected position being determined by theparticular stop member selectively actuated by an operator of theapparatus; and selectively operable motor means cooperable with respectto said control member to rotate it with respect to said plurality ofstop members; said motor means being selectively operable in response toactuation of any particular stop member to rotate said control member,with respect to said stop members; into a selected position determinedby said particular stop member.

11. Apparatus for reproducing any selected one of a plurality ofrecorded passages sequentially prerecorded on a continuous recordingmedium, comprising: a pickup head; motor means cooperable to relativelymove, with respect to said pickup head and in reproduction relationshiprelative thereto, a continuous recording medium bearing a plurality ofsequentially prerecorded passages; pickup head positioning meanseffectively cooperable with respect to the pickup head and the recordingmedium for positioning said pickup head, with respect to said recordingmedium, in any of a plurality of different selectable positions forreproducing a selected prerecorded passage; said pickup head positioningmeans including position selector means comprising a control member anda plurality of circularly spaced stop members; said control member beingrelatively rotatable with respect to said plurality of stop members; andsaid stop members being individually and selectively actuatable withrespect to said control member to effectively stop relative rotationtherebetween in any of a plurality of predetermined positions; saidpickup head positioning means also including mechanical coupling meanscomprising rotary-to-reciprocating movement translating means consistingof connecting rod means effectively pivotally connected adjacent a firstend with respect to said rotatable control member at a'location remotefrom the center thereof and effectively pivotally connected adjacent asecond end with respect to'said pickup head, means constraining saidsec- 0nd end of said connecting rod means to provide reciprocatingmovement only along a line substantially perpendicular to the directionof movement of said pickup stop the latter with the head positioned forengagement with one track, aplurality of manually actuatable selectorscorresponding respectively to said stop members, and means whereby eachselector is operable to effect positioning of one stop member, operationof said drive means for a predetermined period of rotation and operationof said indexing means to position said head in the operative positioncorresponding to an actuated selector; means for separating said headand medium during a predetermined preliminary portion of said period ofrotation during indexing and thenre-engaging said head and medium at apredetermined position corresponding to the beginning of the selectedpassage and means op erating to render any plurality of preselectedactuated selectors automatically operable to successively reproducecorresponding passages.

16. Apparatus for reproducing a preselectable plurality of consecutiveor non-consecutive recorded passages of a large number of passages inclosely adjacent laterally spaced tracks on a single record medium,comprising: means for supporting said medium; means for advancing saidmedium to move said tracks in the direction of their length past aplayback head; a playback head: means supporting the playback head forindexing movement laterally across the Width of said medium to operativepositions corresponding respectively to said large number of passages;indexing means for moving said head supporting means to any of saidpositions; a stop engaging member movable with the indexing means andhead supporting means; selector means controlling said indexing meansand operable for preselecting a plurality of consecutive ornonconsecutive passages for reproduction including a plurality of stopmembers corresponding respectively to said operative positions of thehead, each stop member movable between an inoperative position and anoperative position engageable with said stop engaging member to stop thelatter with the head positioned for engagement with one track, aplurality of manually actuatable selectors corresponding respectively tosaid stop members, and means responsive to actuation of any selector foreflecting operation of the corresponding stop member and operation ofsaid indexing means to position said head in the operative positioncorresponding to an actuated selector; means responsive to actuation ofany selector for effecting operation of said medium advancing means toadvance the medium past the head after the head is indexed to apreselected operative position; and means operating to render anyplurality of preselected actuated selectors automatically operable tosuccessively reproduce corresponding passages.

17. Apparatus for reproducing any preselectable passage of a pluralityof recorded passages in closely adjacent laterally spaced tracks on asingle record medium, comprising: a rotatable support for said medium;drive means for rotating said support to advance said tracks in thedirection of their length past a playback head; a playback head; meanssupporting the playback head for indexing movement laterally across themedium to operative positions corresponding respectively to saidpassages; indexing means for positioning said head supporting means toany of said positions including a drive motor, means for energizing thedrive motor at a low voltage, and a slip coupling connecting the drivemotor and head supporting means enabling continued energization of thedrive motor when the playback head is held against movement; a stopengaging member movable with the indexing means and head supportingmeans; selector means controlling said drive means and said indexingmeans and operable for preselecting any of said passages forreproduction including a plurality of stop members correspondingrespectively to said operative positions of the head, each stopmemberlpositionable to engage said stop engaging member to stop thelatter with the head positioned for engagement with one track, aplurality of manually actuatable selectors Corresponding respectively tosaid operative positions, and means responsive to actuation of anyselectorfor eflYect-ing operation of the corresponding stop member,operation of said drive means for a predetermined period and temporaryoperation of said indexing means drive motor at a high voltage torapidly position said head in the operative position corresponding tothe actuated selector; and means for elevating said playback head duringa predetermined preliminary portion of said predetermined period duringindexing and then lowering the head to operatively engage the selectedtrack at the beginning of the selected passage.

18. Apparatus for reproducing a preselectable plurality of consecutiveor non-consecutive recorded passages of a large number of passages inclosely adjacent laterally spaced tracks on a single record medium,comprising: a rotatable support for supporting said medium; drive meansfor rotating said support to advance said tracks in the direction oftheir length past a playback head; a playback head; means supporting theplayback head for indexing movement laterally across the width of saidmedium to operative positions corresponding respectively to said largenumber of passages; indexing means for positioning said head supportingmeans in any of said positions including a drive motor, means forenergizing the drive motor at a low voltage continuously, and a slipcoupling connecting the drive motor and head supporting means enablingcontinued energization of the drive motor when the playback head is heldagainst movement; a stop engaging member movable with the indexing meansand head supporting means; selector means controlling said drive meansand said indexing means and operable for preselecting a plurality ofconsecutive or non-consecutive passages for reproduction including aplurality of stop members corresponding respectively to said operativepositions of the head, each stop member positionable to engage said stopengaging member to stop the latter with the head positioned forengagement with one track, a plurality of manually actuatable selectorscorresponding respectively to said stop members, and means responsive toactuation of any selector for effecting operation of the correspondingstop member, operation of said drive means for a predetermined period ofrotation and temporary operation of said indexing means drive motor at ahigh voltage to rapidly position said head in the operative positioncorresponding to an actuated selector; means for separating said headand mediumduring a predetermined preliminary portion of said period ofrotation during said indexing and then re-engaging said head and mediumat a predetermined position corresponding to the beginning of theselected passage; and means operating to render any plurality ofpreselected actuated selectors automatically operable to successivelyreproduce corresponding passages.

19. Apparatus for reproducing any preselectable passage of a pluralityof recorded passages in closely adjacent laterally spaced tracks on asingle record medium, comprising: means for supporting said medium;means for advancing said medium to move said tracks in the direction oftheir length past a playback head; a playback head; means'supporting theplayback head for indexing movement laterally across the width of saidmedium to operative positions corresponding respectively to said largenumber of passages; indexing means for moving said head supporting meansto any of said positions; a control member movable proportionately withthe indexing means and playback head supporting means during indexingand having a stop engaging part thereon; selector means controlling saidindexing means and operable for preselecting any of said passages forreproduction including a plurality of stop members correspondingrespectively to said operative positions of the head, each stop membermovable to an operative position engageable with said stop engaging partto stop the control member with the head positioned for engagement withone track, a p i y Of n y actu t ble selectors correspondingrespectively to said stop members, and means responsive to actuation ofany selector for efiecting operation of the corresponding stop memberand operation of said indexing means to position said head in theoperative position corresponding to an actuated selector; meansresponsive to actuation of any selection for effecting operation of saidmedium advancing means to advance the medium past the head after thehead is indexed to a preselected operative position; a kicker movablewith the control member during indexing and movable relative theretowhile the control member is stopped to disable the adjacent actuatedstop member, and means responsive to movement of the medium past thehead for actuating said kicker to disable the stop member and enablemovement of the control member after reproduction of a selected passage.

20. Apparatus for reproducing any preselectable passage of a pluralityof recorded passages in closely adjacent laterally spaced tracks on asingle record medium, comprising: means for supporting said medium;means for advancing said medium to move said tracks in the direction oftheir length past a playback head; a playback head; means supporting theplayback head for indexing movement laterally across the width of saidmedium to operative positions corresponding respectively to said largenumber of passages; indexing means for moving said head supporting meansto any of said positions; a control member movable proportionately withthe indexing means and playback head supporting means during indexingand having a stop engageable part there- 30 on; selector meanscontrolling said indexing means and operable for preseleeting any ofsaid passages for reproduction including a plurality of stop memberscorresponding respectively to said operative positions of the 26 head,each stop member movable to an operative position engageable with saidstop engaging part to stop the control member with the head positionedfor engagement with one track, a plurality of manually actuatableselectors corresponding respectively to said stop members, and meanswhereby each selector is operable to effect operation of thecorresponding stop member and operation of said indexing means toposition said head in the operative position corresponding to anactuated selector including a solenoid for positioning each stop memberand a holding circuit for each solenoid including an openable switch;means responsive to actuation of any selector for efiecting operation ofsaid medium advancing means to advance the medium a predetermineddistance past the head after the head is indexed to a preselectedoperative position to enable complete reproduction of a selectedpassage; a kicker movable with the control member during indexing andslidable relative thereto while the control member is stopped to openthe switch of the adjacent actuated stop member to disable the stopmember, and means responsive to movement of the medium past the head foractuating the kicker to disable the stop member and enable movement ofthe control member after reproduction of a selected passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,235,301 Robinson Mar. 18, 1941 2,572,609 Gierwiatowski Oct. 23, 1951FOREIGN PATENTS 680,810 Great Britain Oct. 15, 1952

